When it comes to open and response rates, then SMS marketing can boast some untouchable numbers. SMS is the most effective direct marketing channel. SMS has a 98% open rate and 36% CTR (Click-through rate). If we compared to email, with a 22% open rate and just 2.9% CTR. There is no doubt that SMS is the best direct marketing way for brands and retailers. With these numbers, it is clear that sending text messages is an excellent return on investment.

And when it comes to retail, SMS marketing is the perfect way to market your shop or website. They work together seamlessly to boost sales, build brand awareness, customer retention and help build and develop your small retail business into a huge worldwide brand.

SMS is highly productive for reaching out to customers and promised customers. SMS are expected to be opened within just five minutes of being received. Text messaging has an engagement rate (open and read) of 97%. This makes SMS an attractive choice for different marketing activities such as limited time contests or coupon promotions. SMS is a very effective way to generate high-quality leads. Moreover, SMS marketing successfully turns leads into sales.

There are some ways that SMS marketing can help your retail business:-

1. Text customers with your special offers:-

   
   Do you regularly have sales and offers on? The let your customers know by text. With SMS marketing you can practically guarantee that your message will be read. So let them know that:
   
   You have a sale on
   When it finishes
   How they can take advantage of it; and
   Most importantly how much they can save.

2. Purchase and delivery information:-

   
   When a customer makes a purchase, send them a message to say thank you. Then let them know when their item is to be delivered – going that extra mile with customer service always pays off.
   

3. Get more store visits:-

   
   Sometimes getting customers through the door is the difficult task, so text your customers an offer that can only be used in store.
   

4. New stock and products landed:-

   
   Keep your customers updated if you have new varieties or products in, let your customers know. Send them a link or get them to visit your store.

5. SMS loyalty programs:-

   
   Customers like to feel special, and by sending them exclusive offers by text message – you will certainly make them feel special. So start an SMS loyalty program and allow customers to sign up – word will soon spread.
   
   
   

6. SMS surveys:-

   
   Feedback is always important, it’s an excellent way to discover what you are good at and where you can improve. So after shopping, send your customers an SMS survey and see what they think of you.
   
   
   Reasons why you should use SMS instead of other channels?
   
   Every phone, no matter whether it is a smartphone or not, facilitates SMS feature which makes you expand your reach.  
   Much higher redemption rate than email. According to Forester, SMS marketing redemption rates are 3-4 times larger than email marketing.
   
   In SMS you will find very high open rates. According to the Mobile Marketing Association France study, 90% of SMS is opened within 90 seconds only.
   
   How to forward your SMS marketing campaign?
   
   Put a sign on your store window.
   Place a sign on the cash register.
   Put information on your receipts.
   Promote text campaign on your website.
   Advertise campaign in your store.
   
   SMS marketing and retail work absolutely together because SMS help retailers to expand their sales, expand brand awareness and improve customer retention.   
   
   Nowadays a lot of consumers demand 2-way SMS communication with companies. Forecasts say that by 2025 50% of all SMS will be from companies, sending consumers SMS marketing messages, promotions, offers, news or different types of alerts.
   
   
   So if you are a retailer or have an online website, give SMS marketing a chance, your customers will like it. And surely you will start watching the benefits soon.